“NON-NEGOTIABLE”
Monterrey told AFP his focus was squarely on production cuts.
“The battle will be based on defending that article,” he said. “We are not here to negotiate a greenwashing and recycling treaty.”
European diplomats echoed that sentiment.
“Mopping the floor when the tap is open is useless,” said the EU’s Anthony Agotha.
In 2019, the world produced around 460 million tonnes of plastic – a figure expected to triple by 2060, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Plastic pollution is so ubiquitous that it has been found in clouds, the deepest ocean trenches and even human breastmilk, raising growing concerns about its health impacts.
Other delegates sounded the alarm on the draft’s lack of text on health issues and the chemical components of plastic.
Fiji’s representative warned there would be “no treaty without a provision on chemicals of concern.”
“This is a non-negotiable for us,” said Sivendra Michael.
Time pressure is mounting on the delegates, some of whom are soon due to leave Busan for a climate meeting on desertification in Riyadh that begins on Dec 2.
Environmental groups warned against accepting “the low level of ambition” in the draft.
Without strong measures “the treaty will fail”, said Eirik Lindebjerg, global plastics policy lead at WWF.
Not everyone was similarly pessimistic.
The International Council of Chemical Associations, which groups global chemical and petrochemical industry bodies, welcomed “the progress made” in the latest text, which “moves us closer towards a legally binding plastics agreement.”
However, the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty, which represents multinationals including Nestle, warned the text was “too weak”.
“This draft does not provide the certainty business is seeking,” said spokeswoman Jodie Roussell.
